Pharmacists will be given more powers to ease pressure on GPs and emergency rooms as ministers consider plans.
Rishi Sunak is expected to present his long-term plan to save the NHS later this month, focusing on reducing waiting times for GPs, ambulances and emergency treatment.
These include measures to ensure that patients can get an emergency appointment within two weeks or the same day, and to reduce the wait for stroke victims for ambulances to 30 minutes.
The Prime Minister has come under pressure to act following reports of pensioners left alone for days after a fall and children with suspected scarlet fever sleeping on chairs in emergency rooms.
Pharmacists will be given more powers to ease pressure on GPs and emergency rooms as ministers consider plans.
In a bid to free up tens of thousands of GP appointments, the Department of Health is preparing to give high street pharmacists a greater role in treating underlying illnesses. If the plans go ahead, pharmacies will be paid to provide advice and treatment, prescribe medicines, including antibiotics, or refer patients to GPs.
They may also play a greater role in treating patients with chronic conditions.
Patients can already pop into High Street shops for advice, but at the moment there is no time for appointments and busy pharmacists receive no additional funding from the NHS. Market leaders said the service was already working effectively in the West Midlands, where pharmacists can prescribe antibiotics for the most common infections such as urinary tract, skin and throat infections.
Last month, Health Secretary Steve Barclay called the “opportunity” to “make better use” of the pharmacy network’s capabilities.
Market leaders have described the ‘Pharmacy First’ scheme already in place in Scotland as a ‘no-brainer’.
Alastair Buxton, director of NHS services for the pharmaceutical services negotiating committee, said: “We could have this service up and running within months.
“Where there is a need, pharmacies want to deliver.”
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
